Ruth Harbin, Anjanette Chege, and Jennifer Dillard of 215 Society Street.
“And all I really want is some patience
A way to calm the angry voice
And all I really want is deliverance”
I first learned the term “highly sensitive person” when my life crumbled around me at the age of 23.
215 Society Street
I thought there was something wrong with me. I thought I was missing a “switch” in my brain that other people had that let them know when and how to calm down. I was jealous of the way other people seemed to be able to deal with the world and all its ups and downs without overthinking and over feeling Every. Little. Damn. Thing.
I was exhausted, hopeless, and suicidal. I ended up with an amazing therapist who taught me about the trait of being highly sensitive. As she explained this trait and emphasized it was not a personality disorder or held any meaning about my value as a human, a great sense of relief washed over me. I still had a lot to learn and behavior patterns to unlearn, but it was validating and freeing and even empowering.
I learned that 1 in 5 of us are born into the world as a “highly sensitive person.” Our brains are wired a bit differently, and we are naturally predisposed to experience the world with a deeper processing, becoming more easily overstimulated and overwhelmed, engaging in our environment with a wider range of empathy and difficulty with sensory processing.
Inside 215 Society Street
So what do we do with all this extra processing, stimulation, empathy, and sensory input?
Many of us find a way to numb it or at least distract us from it. We just want an ounce of relief for just a minute. Anything that will turn down the volume of this life thing. So we find a thing – alcohol, activism, exercise, prescription medication, work, nurturing or providing for others, food, sex, scrolling, spending…
This thing comes with the best of intentions and is usually immensely helpful in dealing with life. It might stay helpful, and it may start to create some major problems for us.
I hear and resonate with Alanis grappling with this dichotomy in the lyrics of All I Really Want…
“And all I really want is some peace man
A place to find a common ground”
“And all I really want is some comfort
A way to get my hands untied
And all I really want is some justice”
Dalton Cole (Market Technical Director), Ruth, and Drew Whitley (Associate Artistic Director) at the 2024 Arts for All Gala.
The double-edged sword is that being a Highly Sensistive Person means she is both capable of this level of closeness, and it is sometimes overtaken by the vastness of the emotion to such a degree that she disconnects from herself and pushes others away. She’s grasping for human connection and belong that goes beyond pleasantries and social norms. She’s looking for deeper ways fo being seen and known and understood by herself and others.
I am still evolving as a highly sensitive person. I will always be using a myriad of things to deal with life; some that have unintended consequences and others that are more effective. My awareness of this demonstrates growth. My acceptance of this allows for peace.
My greatest pleasure (besides really good community theatre ;D) is walking along folx discovering that they too are a highly sensitive person. We get to explore their strengths, how they want to show up in the world, and develop the things that can live this reality.
“It’s all I really want, some patience
A way to calm me down
And all I really want is deliverance
A place to find a common ground
And all I really want is some justice”
I encourage you to expand your understanding of the highly sensitive trait. It could be a difference to really connecting with yourself or someone you love.
Sensitive – The Untold Story
Check out the documentary (below) about the innate trait of being a highly sensitive person featuring Alanis Morissette!
Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill runs March 6 - 23 at Market Theatre. You can purchase reserved and general admission tickets at markettheatre.org/tickets.
We are proud to be sponsored by Ruth Harbin Counseling and 215 Society Street for this production! If you need counseling services, more information is available at centerforlifeskills.org
